Campaigners’ fury at Shropshire baby units plan
News that women may not be able to give birth in Shropshire's rural hospitals has been met with disgust by councillors, nurses and campaign groups.
Following the outcome of a proposed consultation, midwife hubs would be launched in Shrewsbury, Telford, Oswestry, Bridgnorth and Ludlow, which could lead to the closure of midwife-led units in Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Oswestry.
These units, which have been closed to women giving birth for the past six months due to staffing problems, are due to reopen on January 1.
Ludlow councillor Tracey Huffer, who is also a practising nurse, added: “The whole consultation over the future of rural maternity units has been a charade. This proposal makes a mockery of all of us who gave time up to attend so-called consultation workshops.
“What has come out of all the consultation is absolutely nothing. The CCG is just doing what it always planned to do: centralise vital services in Telford and Shrewsbury at the expense of those that live in rural areas of the county and Powys.
“It was all sewn up in advance. I am furious that people who live in rural areas are once again being treated as second-class citizens.”
Sarah Jamieson, head of midwifery at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) said following the announcement: “I’m delighted the proposals from this review are now available to us. We know that the needs and wishes of our population have changed over the years.
“This review has been responsive to those changes and presents us with some real and exciting opportunities.”
Gill George, from Shropshire Defend Our NHS, said: “How dare they? They’re playing games with the lives of women and babies. They have been told by hundreds and hundreds of women in our rural communities to keep births and postnatal care in our local areas, and to keep our midwife-led units open.” She said there had already been cases of babies born at home in Ludlow without a midwife present.
Bridgnorth town councillor Julia Buckley has also called the proposals ‘shameless’.
She added: “How can they ignore the overwhelming feedback to retain the rural birthing centres and deliberately cause women to travel further, putting them at risk?”
Bobbie Brown, co-ordinator of the Bridgnorth campaign said: “This outcome goes against everything they’ve been pretending – about listening to women, not levelling down to the lowest common denominator, treating us with respect.
“They’re devious – and they’re completely contemptuous of mums, babies and our safety.”
Liz Grayston, coordinator of the Oswestry Maternity campaign added: “They are being very clever with their words. The units will not close, they are going to change them into community hubs. It is a way of running down rural maternity services.
“They have a fight on their hands.”
